Suddenly, Anna felt a tap against her hand. Anna froze before looking back at who it was.
"What?"
she asked coldly from the girl standing beside her.
"Um... can I sit here?"
It was the girl who Anna thanked in the morning.
"Why?"
Anna asked doubtfully.
"Oh, it's okay. I'll go,"
she said, as she understood what Anna said.
Anna felt something inside her stir when she heard the disappointment in her voice. "Wait... sit here."
Siona was standing halfway when she heard Anna.
"I don't want to bother you,"
she said. Her voice was soft, yet it carried a feeling of being scared, which made Anna look at her.
"Just sit already."
Without any second thoughts, she sat down, not wanting to make her angry. Anna started eating as if there wasn't anyone beside her.
"It's been a few months since I saw you. What happened to you?"
Siona tried to break the ice. Her voice made Anna push her spoon in the air.
"Nothing,"
she answered, almost rudely. "Nothing." The word that doesn't need any explanation; the word that she used to hate but is the easiest answer she could give now.
"You topped again, didn't you?"
Siona asked, as if the rude voice didn't make her scared.
"Hmm."
It might be great for anyone, but to Anna, it's nothing.
"Anna?"
"Hmm?."
"You changed." The words made Anna freeze. Yes, she changed—from the social butterfly to ignoring everyone; from the bright student to a ghost in the uniform. Of course she changed, but who even cares about why?
It's true: villains aren't born, they are made.
Before she could answer, the ringing bell echoed through their ears, which put a full stop to their silent conversation.
"See you later. If you ever want to talk, I'm here." Siona stood up and walked to her seat, but what she said echoed through Anna because it's her phrase—the one she used to say to others. It's not hurt because of the pharse, but because actually, she needs to talk.
The periods after lunch felt slow, almost sleepy. Anna catches how others steals glance at her, even the teachers. Some asked what happened to her, some offered help since they knew...
"Don't forget to do your homework!" As the last bell rings, the teacher said before leaving the class. Anna packed her things with hurry because she knew if she got late, the train won't wait for her.
She turned around when, "Hey loser!" The voice made her grip tight on the bag. She looked up to see the face she used to be eager to see.
"Move." It's the only thing she could say before she tried to walk past the girl who was now staring at her—the girl who used to be her safe place, a warmth near her.
As she tries to move, she felt a warmth near her wrist—a feeling she used to love. "Nexi, just let me go." Her voice came out softer than she meant to.
But what hurts most is the sudden voices, the cold feeling, the one she felt in the morning. It hurts. She pulled away her hand and covered her ears, her eyes filled with tears.
"Anna? Anna, do you hear me?" Nexi came closer and looked at the way Anna was trembling. The deep silence around them made it even worse since everyone had left by now.
No matter how much Nexie tries to talk to Anna, she doesn't answer.
"No! Don't!"
Suddenly, Anna shouted loudly as if something was trying to hurt her when she felt a hug that melted her instantly. As minutes pass, the voices go away, leaving behind the two who were hugging each other as if they are not enemies.
As soon as they realized what they were doing, Anna pushed away Nexie, just like she did to her in the court.
"Just stay away from me!"
This time, the voice doesn't carry any softness, but the rudeness which wrapped around Anna's soul.
"I don't need to be close either."
Nexi's voice cut through the air as if she wanted to prove something. Before Anna could reply, she took her bag and left the class as if nothing had happened.
But something did. Not in a good way, neither bad.